Life on the bench: in my dressing gown

[RichardCranium]

The very best of luck with it

Thank you.

Congrats

And thank you, too.

Yes, good luck as you're having far too nice a time of late .

Too right. If I'm getting to enjoy being benched, that's not good!

very best of luck

Thank you.

Best of luck Richard.

Thank you.

Congrats and good luck!

Thank you.

Don't forget the bling
A heavy gold chain and oversized rings
Yo maan

Thank you, I think!


If sheer force of will power and good wishes can make a difference (it has to my mood so it probably does) I ought to get the gig. Thank you all.

[RichardCranium]

I did A Bad Thing today. I used an agent's trick to my own advantage.

Agents use 'blocking' where they tell you they are putting you forward, but don't.

I had applied for another gig that uses my niche skills and is loadsamoney (well, I think £600 / day is loadsamoney for public sector PM roles in the regions at the moment).

Agent A I have worked through before and know well. They put me forward at £600 / day.

I saw the role with Agent B; they said they're only paying up to £450 / day. Definitely the same role. Cheeky buggers. So I said "Put me forward" anyway, just in case. They asked for a tweaked CV; I said I would provide one.

I worked through Agent B in the 1990s and they shafted me with a HUGE margin. That gave me an idea. I'd 'block' one of their 3 slots.

Two other agencies advertised the role too; so I also applied through them.

Agent C: "Rate not known yet" and "We need a tailored CV".

Agent D: Silence. But it was Reed so what can you expect.


Deadline was 5pm today. I kept Agents B & C hanging on with stories of "I'll get the CV to you soon" until the time ran out this afternoon.

So, if my tulipty plan worked, Agents B & C only got to submit 2 CVs, not 3.

4 agents x 3 CVs = 12 applicants turned into 10 applicants. Perhaps I've slightly adjusted the odds in my favour. And in so doing, prevented two other benchees getting a look in. (A look in on a very niche area; anyone actually with the skills would be one of the 10 anyway.)

Am I a very Bad Boy? Or just learning how to run my business in a hostile market?

[Zippy]

Rc - you are a Bad Person. Bloody well done!

What did you go for on the hair front anyway?

[RichardCranium]

Rc - you are a Bad Person. Bloody well done!

Being naughty feels delish.

What did you go for on the hair front anyway?

It's coming off in the morning. My face is too sore for the shaver today.

I am one of those who has yet to work with someone who has a pony tail AND is technically competent. I am sure such people do exist, but I have yet to meet one. Therefore, a nice tidy haircut will be applied.

As for the beard: it looks crap. Ginger and grey is not a good look, especially since my once golden locks are now mousey although my eyebrows are brown. I just know they'd be sitting there thinking "Just what colour are his pubes?"

My big fear is: I had a suit made at the end of my last gig as a treat. I've put some weight on (where 'some' = 'might be lots') ... will it fit? If not, I'll be having a busy morning in town.

[AlfredJPruffock]

am one of those who has yet to work with someone who has a pony tail AND is technically competent

If you were chocolate - would you eat yourself ?

Bonne Chance !

[RichardCranium]

If you were chocolate - would you eat yourself ?

I like dark chocolate, but not this bitter.

Bonne Chance !

Ooh, that's your actual French, that is! Err, Murky Buckets, Mon Sewer.

[RichardCranium]

Had on interview yesterday. I was expecting to be told first thing that I strt on Wednesday.

Mid-afternoon the agent said the client had gone quiet.

I won't be hearing anything today, then.

[dozer]

post interview good luck wishes, dyu think you nailed it?

[RichardCranium]

dyu think you nailed it?

I did when he said I'd get confirmation first thing today.

[NickFitz]

Had on interview yesterday. I was expecting to be told first thing that I strt on Wednesday.

Mid-afternoon the agent said the client had gone quiet.

I won't be hearing anything today, then.

Bummer